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Mansfield offers 'helping hand' to pay for child care

The Chronicle - 2/25/2021

Feb. 24--MANSFIELD -- Applications are now being accepted for a new program designed to help Mansfield residents pay for child care during the pandemic.

Funding for the program, "A Helping Hand," was provided through the state of Connecticut as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant program.

The program will be funded by a $ 500,000 CDBG grant that the town was notified about in December.

"Mansfield is eager to help our families who qualify under the guidelines for this state and federal funding," Mansfield Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth said in a press release.

He said the financial assistance toward licensed child care could be "life-changing" at a time when many beforeand after- school activities have been suspended and some traditional options for family member child care have become unavailable.

Aylesworth said the town is " fortunate" to have qualified for the CDBG grant and town officials are eager to offer the program for residents who are in need.

" We've had families already register," he said Wednesday.

Families who have incomes at or below the following levels and have been financially impacted by the pandemic may be eligible: one person, $ 54,950;

MANSFIELD, Page 4

Mansfield is eager to help our families who qualify under the guidelines for this state and federal funding.

Ryan Aylesworth

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Mansfield offers a helping handa for child care

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two people, $ 62,800; three people, $70,650; four people, $ 78,500; five people, $84,800; six people, $91,100; seven people, $97,350; and eight people, $ 103,650.

Child care assistance is available to eligible residents for up to six months.

Funding is limited and the maximum that any household can receive through the program is $9,000.

The child care provider must be licensed.

Aylesworth said there are applicants who have also applied for aid through other avenues" so that is one challenge we're trying to navigate."

The CDBG grant will also be used to provide food assistance to families through a program separate from "Helping Hands."

Aylesworth said the plan is to launch the food assistance program April 1.

The pre- application screening form, program information sheet and frequently asked questions are available on the town website at www. mansfieldct. gov/2089/covid-assistance.

Questions should be emailed to HelpingHand@mansfieldct.org.

Follow Michelle Warren on Twitter -- @mwarrentc.

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